As sleep tourism is set to become one of the biggest travel trends this year, Martin Seeley, the CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay has shared sleep tourism is, what to expect should you go on a sleep retreat, as well the main driving factors behind its increasing popularity.
Martin Seeley, the sleep expert and CEO at MattressNextDay said that: “Sleep tourism may sound like a tall order, but there is some solid science behind it. Sleep plays an important role in brain function and overall health, and many people aren’t getting enough of it. In fact, between 50 and 70 million Americans have sleep-related problems, as do 16 million Brits.
“Whilst the reasons why people seek out sleep treatment vary from person to person, there are some common themes. For example, many people have trouble falling asleep at night because their minds are racing with thoughts about work or life in general. Others have trouble staying asleep due to stress or anxiety about what tomorrow may bring. Some have even been diagnosed with insomnia by their doctor and told that they need help sleeping better in order to function properly during the day.”
Martin continues, “However, going on a sleep retreat could benefit anyone. This is because sleep is essential for many, many reasons. Firstly, the body needs sleep to maintain healthy cognitive functioning and physical performance, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Sleep helps us learn new information and consolidate memories — without it, we can’t form long-term memories. And while we’re sleeping, our brains are busy processing new information and consolidating memories from the day before.
“There’s also evidence that lack of sleep can make you more prone to depression or anxiety by affecting your moods and emotions, according to the NIH. It can also lead to weight gain by altering how certain hormones work in your body. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked with an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. And that’s not all — lack of sleep can even affect your brain function, making it harder to concentrate or think clearly.”
Seven factors that are driving the rising popularity of sleep tourism
Martin said, “Just to clarify, sleep tourism isn’t exactly new. It’s been around for centuries — think of all those artists who used to visit Paris or Rome just to paint or write — but it has become increasingly popular among people in the past couple of years. However, there are seven key factors driving the popularity of sleep tourism at the moment.”
The growth and influence of social media
The growth of social media has made it easier for people to share their experiences with friends and family members. This has made travel trends more visible and accessible to a wider audience
People want to try new things, the wellness industry is huge
People are interested in trying new things, whether it’s practising yoga or enjoying a new type of food from another culture. Sleep tourists are no exception; they want to try something different from what they’re used to at home by spending time in a luxury hotel and having everything taken care of for them without having to lift a finger.
The “experience economy”
The rise of the “experience economy” has made it more important than ever for businesses to offer unique experiences that customers can’t get anywhere else.
Wellness practices have become much more popular
It’s driven by technology – many people now use apps like Sleep Cycle or Headspace to track their sleep patterns and try to improve them. And many people have become more aware of how important meditation and mindfulness are for their mental health, which has led them to seek out yoga retreats or meditation centres overseas where they can practice these skills more regularly.
People are working longer hours and getting poorer sleep
More people are working longer hours than ever before which means they’re getting less restful sleep at night. This has led many people to seek out sleep tourism as a way of getting their much-needed rest
Air pollution can affect your sleep
Air pollution is becoming an increasingly serious problem across many cities in the world which can negatively affect our ability to get quality rest at night time. As a result, travellers are looking for alternative places to stay that are cleaner and more breathable than their home cities.
More people are becoming more health conscious
People are becoming more health conscious, and this trend is especially prevalent among younger generations. Sleep tourism offers a chance for people to relax and sleep in a clean environment without worrying about bed bugs or other pests that can infest hotels and hostels when travelling abroad.